Clutch and a method of modifying a clutch

Abstract

A manually-operated clutch has an actuator and a force limiter. The actuator has a control portion and an engagement portion, the control portion controlling a motive force that engages the engagement portion with a transmission. The force limiter is between the control portion and the engagement portion and limits the motive force above a predetermined threshold.

1 . A manually operated clutch, comprising:
 an actuator having a control portion and an engagement portion, the control portion controlling a motive force that engages the engagement portion with a transmission; and   a force limiter between the control portion and the engagement portion that limits the motive force above a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, and the motive force is hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 2 , wherein the force limiter comprises a valve, the valve being actuated upon application Of a predetermined hydraulic pressure to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is a ball check valve. 
     
     
         5 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 4 , wherein the ball check valve has a notched valve seat that restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid when the ball check valve is actuated. 
     
     
         6 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a clutch cable. 
     
     
         7 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 6 , wherein the force limiter comprises a shock absorber. 
     
     
         8 . The manually operated clutch of  claim 1 , wherein the motive force is a spring, and the control portion acts against the spring to disengage the engagement portion. 
     
     
         9 . A method of modifying a manually operated clutch, the manually operated clutch comprising a control portion and an engagement portion, the control portion controlling a motive force that engages the engagement portion with a transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a force limiter between the control portion and the engagement portion that limits the motive force above a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, and the motive force is hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the force limiter comprises a valve, the valve being actuated upon application of a predetermined hydraulic pressure to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is a ball check valve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ball check valve has a notched valve seat that restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid when the ball check valve is actuated. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is a clutch cable. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the force limiter comprises a shock absorber. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the motive force is a spring, and the control portion acts against the spring to disengage the engagement portion. 
     
     
         17 . In combination:
 a transmission for a motor vehicle;   a manually operated clutch, comprising:
 a control lever; 
 an actuator having a control portion connected to the control lever and an engagement portion connected to the transmission, the control portion controlling a motive force that engages the engagement portion with the transmission; and 
 a force limiter between the control portion and the engagement portion, the control portion limiting the motive force above a predetermined threshold. 
   
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, and the motive force is hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the force limiter comprises a valve, the valve being actuated upon application of a predetermined hydraulic pressure to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid through the secondary fluid passage. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19 , wherein the valve is a ball check valve. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the ball check valve has a notched valve seat that restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid when the ball check valve is actuated, 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator is a clutch cable. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 22 , wherein the force limiter comprises a length adjustable shock absorber. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the motive force is a spring, and the control portion acts against the spring to disengage the engagement portion.